Adjustable keyhole saw



Oct. 26, 1948. c. 1 RHODE-s.v

ADJUSTABLE KEYHoLE sAw Filed oct. 25, 1945 .n..IIIIIIIIIIlI 6 CCLMRZM INVEN TOR.

Patented Oct. 26, 194g UNITED STATES 'PATENT OFFICE Y 2,452,148 .y ADJUSTABLE territoria SAW Curtis Lee Rhodes., Ripley, W. Va." L Application October 23, 1945,'-Serial No. .624,074

This invention relates to hand saws, and more particularly to saws of the keyhole type.

An important object of 'the invention is to provide a keyhole saw embodying a handle, shaped in such a way that a chamber or magazine is provided, in which `saw blades of various sizes may be contained for ready use, when desired.

Another object of the invention i-s to provide la saw having means for removably securing the saw blades to the handle thereof, to insure again-st the saw blad-e .twisting in the handle under the strain of sawing.

Still another object of `the invention is to provide securing means for securing the blade to the handle so that the blade may be adjusted for length with respect t-o the saw handle to the end that it will be possible to provide an exceptionally short blade for use in restricted areas.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the descripti-on proceeds, lthe invention consists of certain novel details -of construction and combinations of parts hereinaf-ter more fully described and pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts Without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring 'to the drawing,

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a saw n constructed in accordance with the invention, illustrating a saw blade positioned for use.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a .plan view of the saw.

Referring to the drawing in detail, .the handle, which is of a pistol grip type, is indicated generally by the reference character 5 and is formed vwith an upper enlarged p-ortion 6.

The upper edge of the enlarged portion 6 is formed with an offset portion 'l having a transversely disposed bolt opening 8 in which the bolt 9 is positioned.

The offset portion 1 an-d upper enlarged .portion 6 are slotted as at l0 for the reception of `the removable saw b-lades.

As shown by Figure 2 of Ithe drawing, the bolt opening at one side of the upper enlarged por- -ftion 6 is substantially large, to accommodate the inner end of the nut Il, so that the inner end of the nut Il may extend into the slot l0 and engage the saw plate l2 which is also mounted in the slot Il). This saw plate l2 is formed with a rightangled -en-d portion I3 adapted to fit in 2 Claims. (Cl. 145:-108) the notch it `formed in one wall of the slot l0, to hold the plate in its proper position within the slot. The opposite end of the plate is slight- 1y olset as at t5 to lend resiliency to the plate.

A coiled spring indicated at I6 is mounted on the bolt 9 and rests in a recess formed in one side of the wall of the slot lil, the spring I6 engaging one side of the plate l2, normally urging the plate toward the nut l! to provi-de a clearance between one wall of the slot I0 and the plate so that a saw blade mai7 be readily positioned by slid-ing it into one end of the slot ID.

Positioned on the forward end of the enlarged portion 6 is a wear plate i1 which is formed with a slot which al-igns with the slot I0, the bottom of the slot providing a surface against which the back of the saw blade positioned in the handle, may engage when pressure is brought to bear on the saw blade in sawing.

An opening I8 is formed in the main portion of the handle 5, and provides a magazine for various sized and types of saw blades. The upper end of the opening is closed by means of the cover I9 which is hel-d in position by means of the bolt 9 and lthe nut Il. The bolt 9 is shown as passing through openings in the cover, the head of the bolt engaging the cover .to press the cover into c-lose engagement with the handle and Iprevent movement of the cover, under normal conditions.

From the foregoing it will be seen that due to the construction shown and described, a saw blade such as indicated at 20 can be removed from the magazine and inserted in the slot I0,

i between the saw plate I2 and the wall of the slot. The nut II is now operated to set up a binding action between the plate l2 and s-aw blade 2l) held 'thereagainst, thereby securing the saw blade within the handle. It will be seen that by loosening the nut l l, the -saw blade may be moved through the s-lot so that various lengths of the blade may be extended bey-ond the end of the upper enlarged portion 6 of the handle, providing an exceptionally sho-rt saw blade is required. By adjusting lthe blade to the desired length, the necessity of sawing with only that portion of the saw adjacent to the outer endthereof, is eliminated, when sawing in restricted areas.

From the foregoing it will also be seen that when Ithe saw is not in actual use, the blades may be housed within the magazine and the cover moved to close the end of the magazine, protecting the person carrying the saw against injury by the extended ends of saw blades.

What is claimed is:

1. In a hand saw, a handle having a saw bla-de receiving slot one side wall of which is formed with a notch, a yieldable saw clamp plate positioned within said blade receiving slot, one end of said plate being extended at right angles and tted in said noteh, securing said plate against twisting, said plate adapted to engage and clamp a saw blade positioned in said slot, a bolt extending transverselxt` through' the handleand slot and Wardly to contact said one side wall of the saw blade receiving slot, a bolt extending transversely through ythe handle slot and plate, said plate adapted to clamp the saw blade against said one side wall of the saw blade receiving slot, and a nut on the bolt adapted to engage the saw plate moving the saw plate into clamping engagement with the saw blade positioned in the slot.

CURTIS LEE RHODES.

REEERENCES"l CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 308,703 Richardson Dec. 2, 1884 '6722125 Heidi; Apr. 16, 1901 L1B-35154 Berkman Feb. 29, 1916 Leatherman Jan. 5, 1943 

